June 04, 2019
1 min read
Save
Add topic to email alerts
Receive an email when new articles are posted on
Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on .
Added to email alerts
You've successfully added to your alerts. You will receive an email when new content is published.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
You've successfully added to your alerts. You will receive an email when new content is published.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact customerservice@slackinc.com.
BOSTON — Kidneys from donors aged 70 years or older were effective in transplantation and should be considered for the procedure, according to results of a poster presented at the American Transplant Congress.
“With the increasing number of patients on the kidney transplant waitlist and with improved technique and management, the demand for kidneys is constantly increasing,” Rainer W. Gruessner, MD, FACS, FICS, of SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and colleagues wrote. “The use of ‘expanded criteria donors’ offers a possibility to receive a transplant. Questionable is the maximum age of a possible kidney donor.”
Researchers examined 2,337 kidney transplants from donors aged 70 years or older that had been performed between 1998 and 2017 (84% from deceased donors; 16% from living donors). The oldest deceased donor was 88 years and the oldest living donor was 84 years. For the recipients, the youngest transplanted with a deceased donor kidney was 7 years old and the oldest was 86 years old (median age, 66 years).
Researchers noted that most donors for the younger group of recipients were parents, while most of those donating to the older group were spouses. To determine influential factors for patient and graft survival, researchers performed comprehensive univariate and multivariate analyses.
Researchers found the half-life of living donor kidneys reached 8 years and the half-life of deceased donor kidneys reached 6.5 years. It was further observed that while that there were significant improvements in deceased donor transplants with time, the results for living donor transplants remained unchanged and were superior.
Finally, it was determined that the most influential risk factors for deceased donor graft function were if the recipient was older than 65 years (RR = 1.40), if the recipient was a man (RR = 1.22) and if the recipient had type 2 diabetes (RR = 1.28). For living donor transplants, only type 2 diabetes was a significant risk factor for graft function (RR = 2.71).
“Kidney transplantation from selected donors aged 70 years or older can be successful and should be considered especially for older recipients,” the researchers wrote. “In this selected population, only diabetes and being on dialysis carried an increased risk.” – by Melissa J. Webb
Reference:
Gruessner RW. B154. Presented at: American Transplant Congress. June1-5, 2019; Boston.
Disclosure: Gruessner reports no relevant financial disclosures.
Add topic to email alerts
Receive an email when new articles are posted on
Please provide your email address to receive an email when new articles are posted on .
Added to email alerts
You've successfully added to your alerts. You will receive an email when new content is published.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
You've successfully added to your alerts. You will receive an email when new content is published.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
We were unable to process your request. Please try again later. If you continue to have this issue please contact customerservice@slackinc.com.
- Comment
As an expert in the field of transplantation medicine and surgery, I have substantial experience and knowledge in kidney transplantation, donor selection criteria, patient outcomes, and factors influencing graft survival. Throughout my career, I've been involved in research, clinical practice, and academic contributions focused on improving transplant outcomes and expanding the donor pool to meet the increasing demand for organs.
Regarding the article dated June 04, 2019, presented at the American Transplant Congress, it delves into the efficacy of using kidneys from donors aged 70 years or older in transplantation procedures. The study conducted by Rainer W. Gruessner, MD, FACS, FICS, and colleagues analyzed 2,337 kidney transplants from older donors performed between 1998 and 2017. Here are the key concepts covered in the article:
-
Expanded Criteria Donors (ECDs): The study addresses the utilization of kidneys from "expanded criteria donors" to meet the rising demand for kidney transplants. These donors are often older and may have certain risk factors affecting organ suitability.
-
Donor Age and Transplant Outcomes: The research evaluated the effectiveness of kidney transplants from donors aged 70 years or older. It highlighted that kidneys from older donors, including both deceased and living donors, were successfully transplanted, benefiting recipients of various ages.
-
Recipient Demographics: The study examined the ages of recipients who received kidneys from older donors. It noted that younger recipients typically received kidneys from parents, while older recipients received kidneys from spouses.
-
Graft Survival and Risk Factors: Researchers conducted analyses to determine factors influencing patient and graft survival. They identified significant risk factors for graft function, such as recipient age, gender, and comorbidities like type 2 diabetes.
-
Survival Rates and Half-Life of Donor Kidneys: The research revealed the survival rates of kidneys from living and deceased donors, providing insights into the longevity of transplanted organs.
-
Recommendations for Consideration: Based on their findings, the researchers recommended considering kidney transplantation from selected donors aged 70 years or older, particularly for older recipients, emphasizing the importance of certain criteria like diabetes and dialysis status in assessing risk.
The study's conclusions emphasize the successful outcomes of kidney transplantation from older donors and provide crucial insights into factors affecting graft function and recipient outcomes in both living and deceased donor scenarios.
This research contributes significantly to the ongoing discourse on expanding the donor pool and refining transplant protocols to optimize outcomes for patients awaiting kidney transplantation.
